Wichita State’s Campus Activities Center Theater has been in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act since the act was put in place, so upcoming renovations are aimed at fixing that.
But, changes to make it accessible for performers aren’t included in the first phase of the project.
The ADA, which requires certain accessibility components in new buildings, was signed into law on July 26, 1990, and the CAC Theater was built during the 1968-1969 school year.
“It wasn’t compliant in any area,” Kevin Konda, auxiliary services and director of the Rhatigan Student Center, said. “We’re talking about the front entrances, there’s no elevators in the building, there’s no ADA restrooms in the building.”
ADA compliance isn’t required in buildings that predate the law, but is required as soon as an older building undergoes renovations. No renovations whatsoever have been made to the CAC Theater since ADA compliance was enforced, and as a result, Wichita State was not required to update the building — until recently.
In May of 2025, Wichita State closed the CAC Theater to assess what renovations were needed, and in Oct. 2025, the student government decided to work with the RSC board of directors to begin phase one of renovations on May 16. The first phase will update the audience section of the theater and bring it up to ADA compliance.
“They’ll allow us to get it open again after the first phase because that’ll basically take care of all the guests or visitors,” Konda said. “After that, it becomes more of an employee, staff or entertainer — whoever’s using the building or space — it becomes more of an issue for them.”
The first phase of construction is set to be completed on May 22, and the next phase will immediately follow. The theater will stay open through phases two and three.
“We’re hoping to have it open for summer orientations,” Konda said. “… In case it doesn’t get open, I’ll have a plan B, but for sure it’ll be open for fall.”
Accessibility for performers and crew, not just audience members
Annie Wasinger, a former student advocate in the Student Government Association and advocate with the Disability Rights Center of Kansas, is worried that opening the theater after only the first phase may cause issues for the university.
Since the CAC Theater is going to open before renovations are finished, Wasinger said that WSU may be in violation of the ADA because students who may want to be on the stage still will not be able to.
“When you move into adding the seating in the back, does that really address the stage?” Wasinger said. “I think it gets into, what is the primary function of the auditorium? Is the primary function of the auditorium the audience and those seats? … If they add in those back seats, do they have to address the stage in phase one?”
Wasinger said she’s glad that WSU has plans to make the whole theater accessible, but she is concerned about accessibility complaints after phase one, since the stage and facilities for student performers will not be accessible.
“I think that there’s a bigger concern of being denied equal access to services and programs,” Wasinger said. “And that wouldn’t fall under the U.S. Access Board, but could be a Department of Education complaint … I think that my opinion could just be don’t open it after phase one, open it after phase two or at least be open to the idea of having to move a lot of those events because somebody comes forward and says, ‘Hey, I want to participate.’”
The cost of the first phase will be split between SGA and the RSC board of directors, $150,000 each. Because the theater operation falls under the Rhatigan Student Center’s management, funding comes from the RSC’s budget, which is funded by student fees. SGA’s portion will come from its Special Projects Fund.
The cost of the other two phases are not yet known, Konda said. Only funding for the first phase has been approved.
“Everyone knows the CAC Theater isn’t accessible,” Wasigner said. “I don’t think a student with a talent who’s also using a mobility device is going to fight the university. It’s just really daunting to have to advocate for yourself like that.”
Wasinger said it’s “disheartening” that phase one of renovations won’t include changes to the stage because students with mobility issues won’t be able to use the CAC Theater and that it sends the message of “you belong in the audience, but you don’t belong on stage.”
